Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estelle Noordman and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is intervening by supplying water weekly to residents in the upper areas of Phodingh, who have been left without consistent access to this basic service due to Kopanong Local Municipality’s continued failure to deliver it.
The DA is sourcing water from Philippolis and transporting it by tanker truck to Phodingh to ensure residents have access to this essential resource. This intervention has become necessary because the water crisis has persisted since the end of 2023, with the municipality providing no sustainable solution.
Despite repeated complaints and engagements, Kopanong Local Municipality has failed to provide adequate interim relief or implement a long-term plan to restore a reliable water supply. The continued lack of access to water places residents at risk and undermines their health, dignity, and livelihoods.
Access to water is a fundamental human right as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The ongoing situation in Phodingh represents a clear violation of residents’ basic rights and highlights a serious breakdown in service delivery.
While the DA’s intervention provides temporary relief, it is not the responsibility of an opposition party to substitute for the role of local government. Kopanong Local Municipality must be urgently held accountable and take immediate steps to resolve this crisis permanently.
We will continue to support affected communities and use all available oversight and accountability mechanisms to uphold residents’ rights.